Capturing Danger: My Journey Through South America’s Most Violent Spots

Brazil often conjures images of vibrant carnivals, sun-kissed beaches, untouched wilderness, and avant-garde architecture. Yet, beyond the gaze of the casual traveler lies a different Brazil marked by stark inequalities, rampant violence, and environmental devastation. Tommaso Protti, an acclaimed Italian-born photographer, has spent over a decade in Brazil capturing these harsher aspects of life across Latin America.

Protti has ventured into overcrowded jails, fresh crime scenes, accompanied drug traffickers during their transactions, and followed migrants braving dangerous jungle treks. His photographs are bold, daring, and provocative, challenging viewers’ preconceptions and sparking numerous questions with each project, whether it’s about rural conflicts or urban gang violence.

VICE recently caught up with Protti, who is currently based in Sao Paulo, to delve into some of his most impactful photography work.

VICE: How did you begin documenting crime, violence, and inequality in Brazil?
Tommaso: I was drawn to long-term projects and immediately became interested in the subject of violence. Coming from Europe, the type of violence present in Latin America is on a different scale. I moved here with my young daughter and was instantly struck by the pervasive sense of insecurity. Brazil records about 40,000 homicides annually, but it’s not just about the sheer number of guns or homicides; it’s about the deep-rooted inequalities and historical violence shaped by slavery, colonization, and state formation.

Could you tell us about your project Terra Vermelha [Red Earth] and the dystopia it reveals?
I launched Terra Vermelha upon my arrival in Brazil, focusing on the Brazilian Amazon and its environmental and social crises. Initially, I imagined the Amazon as a realm of expansive nature and indigenous communities. However, my first visit revealed a much more complex narrative. The region has transformed into a modern-day Wild West, a chaotic frontier governed by its own rules.

My initial assignment involved the environmental impacts of the newly constructed Belo Monte Dam. I anticipated spending time in the forest but instead found myself in Altamira, a city swelling with people attracted by dam construction jobs and now infamous for its high violence and crime rates. This experience exposed me to the urban realities of Amazonian cities like Manaus and Belem.

Why have these cities become hubs of violence?
The Amazon River is a major drug trafficking route in Latin America, making cities like Manaus and Belem key centers for drug distribution and consumption, with Brazil being a major consumer of cocaine and crack globally. This prompted me to explore various interconnected issues in a long-term, comprehensive project.

What other significant challenges does the region face?
Land conflicts are a major issue, with approximately 50 percent of rural land owned by just 1 percent of the population, leading to violent disputes. I’ve documented massacres, police violence, and public land occupations while also visiting remote villages where indigenous tribes strive to preserve their traditional lifestyles amidst threats like illegal mining. Yet, I’ve also portrayed indigenous communities urbanized and disconnected from their ancestral ways.

And the deforestation issue?
Indeed, deforestation is critical as scientists warn that the Amazon is nearing an ecological tipping point. My project aims to depict the overlapping stories and complexities of the region, emphasizing that environmental preservation cannot occur without improving the lives of its residents.

What has been the most shocking aspect of your work?
During one assignment, I followed the Guajajara Forest Guard, an armed indigenous group defending their land from illegal loggers in Araribóia, Maranhão. Sadly, just two months after my visit, a young leader from the group, Paulo Paulinho, was murdered in an ambush. This highlighted the unpredictable and perilous nature of their struggle.

Let’s discuss Tropic of Violence, a project examining Brazil’s high homicide rate.
In recent years, Brazil’s homicide rate has surpassed those of countries in civil war. My focus wasn’t just on capturing the dead but on the surrounding scenes and the normalization of violence. It was shocking to see how locals, including children, would casually observe crime scenes, unaffected by the proximity to death.

In Tropic of Violence, I gained access to drug dealers and gangs, visited prisons, and portrayed community life, illustrating how violence and inequality are intertwined, often affecting young black men from poorer areas the most. I also connected with the families of homicide victims to deepen the narrative on these issues.

Finally, tell us about The Path, your project on the harrowing journeys of migrants aiming to reach the U.S. from South America. You traveled with them through the Darién Gap, correct?
Yes, it was the most challenging experience of my life. The Darién Gap, a 100km stretch at the Colombia-Panama border, is a treacherous, roadless terrain filled with natural hazards and criminal threats. During my journey, I witnessed firsthand the extreme dangers migrants face, including drowning and violent assaults.

The journey sounds incredibly tough.
It was. Many migrants are ill-prepared for the physical and emotional toll of the trek, lacking adequate food and clean water. The journey is filled with risks, from natural dangers to criminal gangs, and the constant presence of children and their cries adds to the emotional weight.

And after reaching southern Mexico, these migrants face further challenges on La Bestia, right?
Absolutely. La Bestia is a network of freight trains that migrants ride at great peril, often resulting in injuries or death from falls. The journey through Mexico exposes them to additional risks from environmental conditions and criminal elements.

Have you kept in contact with any migrants you met during these journeys?
Yes, and their ongoing struggles are deeply troubling. I reconnected with a family I met during the crossing, who have since faced kidnappings and discrimination in Mexico. Their experiences highlight the extreme challenges and dangers migrants continue to face long after their initial journey.

Follow Tommaso on Instagram @tomprotti